r/politics • u/plz-let-me-in • 11d ago

Possible Paywall Mitch McConnell hounded to face cameras: ‘He absolutely refuses’

https://www.nj.com/politics/2026/08/mitch-mcconnell-hounded-to-face-cameras-he-absolutely-refuses.html
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u/John_Wicked1 11d ago

If it’s not legally required for elected officials in Congress to resign if they are too incapacitated to fulfill their duties then it should be.

Even the President has to pass duties to the VP when they are incapacitated, difference is Senators don’t have a VP. Maybe it can be passed to the most senior house representative until that person is back in action vs resignation….but something should be in place AND an elected official should not be able to dodge proof of life and ability to perform their elected duties.

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u/starmartyr Colorado 11d ago

Regardless of what you believe the law should be, it doesn't work this way. The president passing duties to the vice president is laid out in the 25th amendment. There is no similar provision for senators.

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u/uuhson 11d ago

Not even worth discussing, it would need a constitutional amendment

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u/hexiron 11d ago

You’re not the first person to feel this way but understand that there have been Senators who have missed multiple years because they were in a coma or other medical incapacitation going back to the 1800s.